Page 13 of Reckless Games

“It’s not what I was expecting, that’s for sure.” I drown my pancakes in syrup and follow Stella to an empty table at the edge of the room. “Although, I guess I should have.”

“Same. I can see why no one is invited to this thing twice. If I was here long enough, I’d never leave.” Stella drops down into the seat beside me and starts chewing another piece of bacon. “Not to mention that hunk-of-sin who runs this thing. I swear I almost melted at the sight of him. Did you see him last night?”

See him.

Feel him.

Let him use me like his plaything.

I nod and stuff my mouth with pancakes before I say any of that.

“He’s something unholy, that’s for sure.” Stella picks at her food, clearly not as hungry as I am because I can’t stop eating. “Too bad he mostly keeps to himself. I heard he doesn’t even actually live here. He’s from LA or something.”

It would make sense, given that’s where he ran into my sister.

“What does he do?” I probably shouldn’t sound too curious, but I can’t help myself.

“Not sure.” Stella shrugs. “Helps run the family business, whatever that means. You know rich businessmen. No one actually knows what they do. Besides, he doesn’t need money to be hot. I’d fuck him even if he didn’t have a penny to his name.”

I shouldn’t care that Stella thinks Adam is attractive. It’s an observation probably shared by every woman in this room. But it doesn’t stop my stomach from twisting at the thought of him tiring of me after last night and moving on to any one of them.

“You okay?” Stella’s eyebrows pinch in concern, and I realize I’ve stopped eating. “You just got a little pale.”

“I’m fine,” I lie.

She doesn’t look like she believes me, but we aren’t close enough that she’ll push the subject.

“Anyway, let me know if you see him around.” Stella’s gaze skims the crowd, before landing back on me. “I heard he doesn’t usually play at these things, but that’s probably just a rumor started by some girl trying to keep others away from him. The man runs a week-long holiday sex party every year. I don’t believe for a second that he doesn’t enjoy the perks of it.”

She cocks an eyebrow, and I feel the heat rushing to my cheeks, knowing the answer she’s looking for.

Adam definitely enjoys these holiday retreats, and I know how much.

Luckily, she ignores my reaction to her statement when she’s distracted by something across the room. A devious smile ticks in the corner of Stella’s mouth, and she sets her napkin on the table.

“Speaking of something hot that needs enjoyment.” She pushes her chair out and stands up. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”

I follow her gaze and it lands on a man who just walked through the door wearing nothing but a pair of blue sweatpants. Not even socks. His gaze heats as it connects with Stella, and I can guess why she’s in such a good mood this morning.

“Enjoy,” I say as she walks away.

I’m not used to this kind of sexual freedom—or general freedom—for that matter. But as I watch Stella practically skip to the man in the doorway and jump into his arms when she reaches him, I wonder what it is about the Midnight Manor that makes people want to indulge.

Picking up my fork, I stab another bite of pancakes, but even if I’m starving, I can’t seem to enjoy them after what Stella said. It’s not like I expected Adam to be chaste given he’s the host of these events. But I don’t like the idea that I’m just another woman he’ll use until midnight comes and reality whisks me away.

“You need to eat more than that if you’re going to keep your energy up.” Adam’s voice tickles my spine at the same time as his cinnamon scent floods the air around me.

Fingers graze the peak of my shoulder, before trailing my arm, and I feel his body heat even with the gap of space he maintains between himself and the back of my chair.

“I’m not hungry anymore.” I set down my fork.

He hums, brushing my hair aside. “Guess I underestimated your stamina, baby girl.”

My heart is racing as his fingers trail my throat, pausing at my pulse, giving me away like the traitor it is.

“Guess we have that in common.” It comes out snappier than intended, but I’m finding it impossible to simmer my irritation.

Adam presses closer, leaning down to bring his mouth by my ear. “Something bothering you this morning?”

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